'52 Dodge Pick up - A Stealth Replacement

Okay, so a truck is just utilitarian vehicle. Maybe it wasn't originally designed to take a corner at 90 mph, or ride like an Imperial, but let's face it, you can do just about anything with a truck. There are a lot reasons why trucks have a special place in many people's hearts. For one, they're great for hauling just about anything. You can line the bed with a tarp and make a mobile swimming pool, the kids can ride in the back, making your drive quieter and more enjoyable, or you can put the wife and/or mother-in-law back there, and once again, make the ride quiet and enjoyable.

For Ray and Rachelle Myles-who both coincidentally ride up front, finding this truck in Surry, British Columbia, was just what they felt they needed, and it struck a chord with them. Even though their ride at the time was a twin Turbo'ed Dodge Stealth, they knew that the truck also had the potential to be made into one very cool ride. Originally, when Ray first located the "Job Rated" '52, it was an in-progress project that some enthusiastic hot rodder thought he needed, but apparently never had the chance to finish. Since Ray was looking for a mobile swimming pool-okay, maybe not a pool, he gave the truck a thorough inspection, and then promptly traded his Stealth for it. Apparently, he felt that he needed to go from hauling butt, to hauling anything he wanted to.

2/5It’s a tight fit, a 440 can fit into anything.

When Ray found the truck, the body work was essentially done, and all he needed to do, was finish it and make it his own. To do that, he had Garry Keay Restorations mix a custom color of Deep Blue Pearl Metallic, and cover everything. Ray's daughter Colleen even got in the act, and designed the flames. Ray then made the stainless steel front bumper, the stainless gas tank, and all of the engine compartment shiny stuff-again, out of stainless. The custom interior was put together by Larry Foster, and features all of the creature comforts you could ask for.

Since completion, Raymond and Rachelle have racked up a lot of highway miles, and given the comfort accessories of his new ride, and with all of the open country up North, we're sure the ride is just as enjoyable as it would have been in his former ride.

Engine: In 1952, a Dodge anything didn't come with a big block 440. Now however, this one has just that. Raymond built this one with a stock bore, hypereutectic pistons, and H-beam connecting rods. Valve dance is accomplished by the split-spec Crane camshaft with .450 and .458-inch of lift, and 268/284-degrees of duration at .050-inch. In the cast Chrysler heads are 2.18 and 1.81-inch valves with more Crane parts holding them in place. Feeding everything is an AVS carburetor on an older Edelbrock Torker intake. Finally, a custom-built set of headers with 1-3/4-inch primary tubes connect to a 2-1/2-inch exhaust with Walker mufflers-a quiet ride with a good tone.

Rear: It's a basic 8-3/4 with 3.55 highway gears-it works, and makes the truck a blast to drive.

Sure Grip

Suspension: The front sub frame was scavenged from a brand X car, and was already installed when Raymond purchased the truck. This gives Raymond a nicer ride, and disc brakes. Let's just say that finding replacement parts is easier this way. The rear end uses standard leaf springs-simple and effective, and KYB shocks soften the bounce.

Brakes: Manual discs and drums.

Wheels/Tires: A set of Eagle Alloy wheels measuring 15 x 7 up front, and 15 x 8 on the rear, support the BFG 215/60-15 and 245/60-15 radials.

High Impact

Paint/Body: The custom-mixed Deep Blue Pearl Metallic paint is definitely not factory applied, and thanks to Garry Keay Restorations of Abbottsford, British Columbia, it looks great under the flames that were designed by Ray's daughter, Colleen.

Interior: The Larry Foster interior is all custom, right down to the tweed covered door panels and custom made seat. In case you're wondering, Larry's shop is in Coquitlam, British Columbia, The windows move via a switch (read: they're power), and the steering wheel is the kind that can come at you, or go away from you (tilt and telescope). Let's not forget the Vintage Air A/C, and custom gauges.